The 24th Birthday Book Wish List

Today is the 1st of March, which means one thing (among many things): I turn 24 in 15 days. 14, if I don’t count this day.

Of course, as with every birthday that has passed since I started blogging, I’ve always created a wish list to help my family — especially my brother, who would usually ask for nba shirts — decide what gift to get me. It might be strange for other people, but we always do this for our family, even during Christmas. :)

I already posted my whole wish list on my main blog, but because this is my book blog, I thought I’d post my 24th birthday book wish list here, just for kicks. :D So it’s basically the first part of my blog there, but with book summaries and some comments on why I want the book. Here we go (in no particular order)!

Percy Jackson isn’t expecting freshman orientation to be any fun. But when a mysterious mortal acquaintance appears on campus, followed by demon cheerleaders, things quickly move from bad to diabolical.

In this latest installment of the blockbuster series, time is running out as war between the Olympians and the evil Titan lord Kronos draws near. Even the safe haven of Camp Half-Blood grows more vulnerable by the minute as Kronos’s army prepares to invade its once impenetrable borders. To stop them, Percy and his demigod friends must set out on a quest through the Labyrinth – a sprawling underground world with stunning surprises at every turn. Full of humor and heart-pounding action, this fourth book promises to be their most thrilling adventure yet.

Why do I want this? I already have books #1-3, and although I can buy Book #4, I’m not really in a hurry because I haven’t even opened Books #2 and 3. But then it wouldn’t hurt to have a copy of this now so I won’t be running to a bookstore when I read Books 2 and 3, right? :P

Madison Stanton doesn’t know where she is or how she got there. But she does know this – she is dead. And alone in a vast, dark space. The only company Maddy has in this place are luminescent objects that turn out to be all the things she lost while she was alive. And soon she discovers that, with these artifacts, she can reexperience – and even change – moments from her life.

Her first kiss.

A trip to Disney World.

Her sister’s wedding.

A disastrous sleepover.

In reliving these moments, Maddy learns illuminating and frightening truths about her life – and death.

Why do I want this? I saw this…I can’t remember which blog I saw this on, but I saw this and thought the premise was interesting. The cover looks pretty too, don’t you think?

Cassandra Renfield has always seen the mark—a glow around certain people reminiscent of candlelight. But the one time she mentioned it, it was dismissed as a trick of the light. Until the day she watches a man awash in the mark die. After searching her memories, Cassie realizes she can see a person’s imminent death. Not how or where, only when: today.

Armed with a vague understanding of the light, Cassie begins to explore her “gift,” seeking those marked for death and probing the line between decision and destiny. Though she’s careful to hide her secret—even from her new philosophy-obsessed boyfriend—with each impending death comes the temptation to test fate. But so many questions remain. How does the mark work? Why is she the only one who sees it? And finally, the most important of all: If you know today is someone’s last, should you tell them?

Why do I want this? Another interesting premise, plus I saw a pretty good review of this book from The Book Smugglers. It kind of reminds me of Meridian, but less of the angels and more of another kind of power. How can these authors have these kinds of ideas? I want to pick their brains. :P

Whenever Jem meets someone new, no matter who, as soon as she looks into their eyes, a number pops into her head. That number is a date: the date they will die.

Burdened with such an awful awareness, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance. But while they’re waiting to ride the Eye Ferris
wheel, Jem notices that all the other tourists in line flash the same number. Today’s number. Today’s date. Terrorists are going to attack London. Jem’s world is about to explode!

Why do I want this? Similar to The Mark by Jen Nadol, this one is about predicting death and all that. It’s kind of a creepy thing to see the number of when people will die — even creepier than seeing their aura. The blurb sounded kind of corny, though, but from the review I read, there’s excellent character development in this novel. The plot is a bit blah, but I like strong characters. Yeah, curiosity. Impulse want. I might end up hating it…but that’s why I’m asking for it as a gift. :P Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? Plus I think the cover is kind of cool.

The novel opens in the present. At its center: Toby O’Dare—a contract killer of underground fame on assignment to kill once again. A soulless soul, a dead man walking, he lives under a series of aliases—just now: Lucky the Fox—and takes his orders from “The Right Man.”

Into O’Dare’s nightmarish world of lone and lethal missions comes a mysterious stranger, a seraph, who offers him a chance to save rather than destroy lives. O’Dare, who long ago dreamt of being a priest but instead came to embody danger and violence, seizes his chance. Now he is carried back through the ages to thirteenth-century England, to dark realms where accusations of ritual murder have been made against Jews, where children suddenly die or disappear . . . In this primitive setting, O’Dare begins his perilous quest for salvation, a journey of danger and flight, loyalty and betrayal, selflessness and love.

Why do I want this? If there’s any angel novel that’s really worth reading, I’m betting it’s this one. The blurb kind of reminds me of a Ted Dekker novel, but with angels and supernatural time travel. This is the start of a series, too, which means I’ll want the subsequent books. I can wait for this one, because I bet the paperback version of this will not be out until late this year or maybe even next. :/

Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry. And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in order to save herself and the one she loves.

Why do I want this? It’s the sequel for The Forest of Hands and Teeth for one thing. Plus, once I start reading a book series, I just have to read all. This won’t be released till March 9…but my birthday is not till the 17th anyway. :P Oh, and another reason why I want this? Zombies. :P

Why do I want this? I figure I don’t have to put a blurb here to explain what these books are. I have no intention of reading these books initially…but ever since I made that fantasy resolution, I’ve been getting recommendations for this trilogy. I’m kind of hesitant to really read this because of the religious controversy behind these books…but I also read The Da Vinci Code and it didn’t change me. So I figure, for literature’s sake, I’ll read this too. I’m not the type of person who’d actually go out and buy this trilogy, though, for some reason, hence its placement in the wishlist. :P

12 Steps to Quitting AJby Faye Ilogon

Grace and AJ are like Christmas lights—off and on, again and again. But their last breakup was devastating. It was enough to make Grace want to run him over in her pale pink Beetle. She even composed 12 steps to quitting him, which wasn’t easy because he admittedly was her first love—the boy she lost her heart to when she was still collecting Hello Kitty stationeries; the boy she never stopped loving since. But something happens that changes Grace’s life forever. Now it’s time for her to reevaluate everything she has going for her and make a decision. Is this the end of Grace’s life as she knows it? Or is she finally going to have the happy ending she so desperately needs?

Why do I want this? I kind of hate to admit it, but local chick lit is becoming a guilty pleasure. It’s not that it’s really bad that I’m embarrassed to be seen reading it, but some/most of them are just not my type of stories. The new ones I’ve read so far were cute, though, so I thought, why not give it a chance? Plus, I can’t deny that if I want to be published someday, I’ll also fall into the local chick lit category…so I better start loving my own, right?

Every Girl’s Guide to Flingsby Marla Miniano

In her high heels, short skirts, and purple eyeliner, Rickie is known as the wayward friend of good girls Anna and Chrissy. Her string of meaningless flings, happening parties, and more boys lining up to ask her out make her the envy of every teenage girl—till she sets her sights on a very bad idea: Anna’s ex. Is Rickie headed for disaster? Or will she finally fall in love and get her very own happy ending?

Why do I want this? For the simple reason that I have the first two books of the series, and I’m curious of what happens to Rickie. I loved Anna’s story the most so far, but I can’t give a final verdict at least until I’ve read about Rickie — she’s the “bad girl” in the group, but sometimes, the bad girls have the best stories.

Incarceron is a prison so vast that it contains not only cells, but also metal forests, dilapidated cities, and vast wilderness. Finn, a seventeen-year-old prisoner, has no memory of his childhood and is sure that he came from Outside Incarceron. Very few prisoners believe that there is an Outside, however, which makes escape seems impossible.

And then Finn finds a crystal key that allows him to communicate with a girl named Claudia. She claims to live Outside—she is the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, and doomed to an arranged marriage. Finn is determined to escape the prison and Claudia believes she can help him. But they don’t realize that there is more to Incarceron than meets the eye, and escape will take their greatest courage and cost more than they know. Because Incarceron is alive.

Why do I want this: First of all: awesome cover. When I first saw this in Fully Booked, I was very intrigued. Then I saw the blurb, and I was even more intrigued — dystopian novel ahoy! It kind of reminds me of Hunger Games, but maybe because of the darkness that the book seems to emanate. Plus I just read this review of the book and I’m even more convinced I want it. Oh and it’s a series, too!

Love can be a dangerous thing….Hanna simply wants to be loved. With a head plagued by hallucinations, a medicine cabinet full of pills, and a closet stuffed with frilly, violet dresses, Hanna’s tired of being the outcast, the weird girl, the freak. So she runs away to Portero, Texas in search of a new home.

But Portero is a stranger town than Hanna expects. As she tries to make a place for herself, she discovers dark secrets that would terrify any normal soul. Good thing for Hanna, she’s far from normal. As this crazy girl meets an even crazier town, only two things are certain: Anything can happen and no one is safe.

Why do I want this? This may just be another impulse thing, but reviews say it’s good. I saw this book at National one time and then saw a review and I’m curious. It’s a crazy/weird story, I heard, but it’s a very good crazy/weird novel, and that’s really enough to make me curious. Of course, this book also seems to be kind of depressing, so if I do get this, I’m reading this when I’m not down in the dumps. I think.

Trese Book #2: Unreported Murdersby Budjette Tan

When dusk arrives in the city of Manila, that’s when you become
the most likely prey of the criminal underworld.

Kidnappers and thieves will be the least of your worries.

Beware the criminals that can’t be bound with handcuffs nor harmed with bullets.

Beware the ones that crave for your blood, those who hold your heart ransom, and the ones that come to steal your soul.

When crime takes a turn for the weird, the police call Alexandra Trese.

This volume of contains the following:
Case 5: A Little Known Murder in Studio 4
Case 6: The Outpost on Kalayaan Street
Case 7: Embrace of the Unwanted
Case 8: The Association Dues of Livewell Village

Trese Book # 3: Mass Murdersby Budjette Tan

12 midnight at Metro Manila.

Try to remain calm if you suddenly spot a tikbalang speeding down EDSA or a manananggal swooping across the Makati skyline. While partying at the Fort, never ever let the enkanto at the bar buy you a drink.

Why do I want this? Well, I have the first Trese book, and there’s me and the series thing again. Plus it’s a quick read, it’s local fiction (for Project 20:10), and I want to do a review of the Trese books all in one post. And having a kick-ass female protagonist is a big plus, too. :P

Crash: The Not Quite Unreal Sequelby Carlos Malvar

Life’s too short to slow down, and no one knows this better than the young, the rich, and the screwed up.

In “The Faster They Go…”, the kids of The M of A and the P face the biggest, most dramatic situation their pretty heads and shiny hair have to face ever: they are NOT invited to the biggest open party of the season! That sucks, really, especially if you already planned on what you’re wearing, right? Shit.

In “The Harder They Crash” , things take a turn for the worse as they realize that surviving through the school year means dealing with the biggest threat they have to face: each other. With hearts racing, and hormones raging, there’s no stopping now.

Two exciting stories one not quite unreal sequel. Brace yourself. You’re in for a ride.

Why do I want this? Another series. I have the first book, Roles, and it was interesting. This series is kind of like a local version of Gossip Girl, but without the feeling of it copying that series. It’s scandalous, but in a realistic local way, and I admit: I can’t help but read. I’m curious if Crash will hold up to the expectations.

At thirty-five, shes put her dreams on hold to care for her ailing, high-maintenance mother. Three years after her divorce shes still not dating, still working at her temp job, and still longing for motherhood even though, as her own mother often points out, Youre not getting any younger, you know!

When her Getaway Girls book club friends urge Paige to break free and get on with her life, she desperately wants to try. But how? What about her mom? The unexpected answers come from a surprising source. A trip to Scotland and a potential new love interest help launch an exciting new chapter in her life, and lead Paige to discover that Gods plan for her life promises to be more than she ever imagined.

Why do I want this? It’s been a while since I got to read good Christian fiction, and if there’s a chick lit author that I really love, it’s Laura Jensen Walker. Although I didn’t really like Daring Chloe as much as I loved the Phoebe Grant series, but I love the author too much to stop reading her. Ever get the feeling? :P

Adventurous and fun-loving Becca Daniels loves the rush of new experiences and is constantly pushing the envelope – trying everything from extreme sports, to wild hair colors, to sky diving. So when a broken leg grounds her temporarily Becca doesn’t take the interruption well.With fun, heart-warming humor, readers will find themselves wrapped up in this character’s adventure as she weaves her way through one of those unplanned scenarios that life throws her way.

Why do I want this? Same with the previous book, it’s a Laura Jensen Walker! Plus I remember liking Becca a lot in Daring Chloe — she’s the bookstore chick, if I remember correctly. And this book seems to feature New York City — what’s not to love? :)

A tongue-in-cheek look at contemporary culture through the eyes of a screenwriter who pens a hit about the last unbeliever on Earth navigating a thoroughly Christian world.An unwary “pagan” discovers he’s one of the last remaining unbelievers in a world populated by Christians. Or so imagines Larry Hutch, a screenwriter with hopes of writing a hit movie. While struggling in his faith and dealing with personal crises, he imagines a strange new world where song lyrics are altered to conform to “Christian” standards (the Beatles belt out “I Wanna Hold Your Tithe”) and French fries, newly labeled “McScriptures,” are tools for evangelism. Larry’s screenplay is a big hit with his agent, Ned, but Ned’s Southern Baptist wife is less than amused. Both men’s futures will be on the line when the world witnesses A PAGAN’S NIGHTMARE.

Why do I want this? Ray Blackston is also one of the few male Christian writers that I really like. He’s also one of the few male funny Christian writers. I loved his first three books, and I remember seeing this one before but never getting around to buying it. The blurb alone is funny — I think I’ll like this very much. :D

Sparks fly when Ray Blackson returns with his trademark quirky sense of humor. Golf, politics, and romance collide in PAR FOR THE COURSE as golf range owner Chris Hackett meets an attractive political correspondent who turns his world upside down.

In PAR FOR THE COURSE, Chris Hackett owns and operates Hack’s Golf Learning Center, an eccentric golf range in Charleston, SC. Chris jumps at the chance to step up his game when an attractive new student and political correspondent, Molly, suggests that Chris capitalize on the current, highly polarized, presidential election. This pitting of right versus left means even more income, plus a sharp new girlfriend, and soon Chris, his sidekick, Cack, and their unique golf range are the talk of the town . . . until someone takes the political insults too seriously. Will Molly stick around as Chris learns the true meaning of “playing politics”? And will Chris realize how much he wants her to?

Why do I want this? I saw this in Amazon when I was doing my book shopping, and I was amused because it’s a Blackston book…but it’s a whopping $20. T_T What made this book so expensive? Anyway, generous souls out there — this is just to complete my Ray Blackston collection (assuming I get the previous book too).

AND WOW. This is a long post. :o My fingers hurt already. I think I have too many books in my list because I know I can’t go book shopping at least until Easter. And it’s my birthday — I can ask what I want…right? :P

But the next time I make a wish list…it’s not going to be this long. *faints*

2 Thoughts on “The 24th Birthday Book Wish List”

I work for Summit Media and I would love to send you 12 Steps to Quitting AJ and Every Girl’s Guide to Flings. :-) We also recently released Vince’s Life: The Wedding. Please let me know where to send these books. :-)